About the Animal Conservation Internship: 

The Animal Conservation Internship will provide well-rounded experience for individuals actively pursuing a career in conservation education through ambassador animal care. The internship will cover topics including best practices in educational practices, animal welfare, zoonotic diseases, training, Association of Zoos & Aquariums Information, USDA requirements, recording keeping, etc.

The Children’s Science Center Lab is seeking an adaptable, creative, articulate, dynamic, and highly motivated individual to join our team in the role of Animal Conservation Intern. The Animal Conservation Intern must be a dedicated individual who can enthusiastically interact with children and adults to educate about animal conservation through school field trips and general guest admission. The Intern will also maintain aesthetically pleasing terrestrial habitats that promote positive animal welfare for a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The intern must be able to work independently as well as on a team to provide essential and effective education of and care for the collection. This position reports to the Animal Husbandry Coordinator.

Interns will work alongside Animal Husbandry staff and STEM Educators supporting hands-on and exploratory activities throughout the Lab. In addition, interns will gain skills in collaboration, professionalism, public speaking, organizational skills, customer service, and more.

COMPENSATION

The hourly rate for this position is $14.00

JOB RESPONSIBILITES

Interns will:

• Assist in planning and conducting educational and interactive guest programs; engage the public to encourage curiosity and facilitate a positive experience in both formal and informal programs;

• Greet visitors in a friendly and positive way; respond to questions and needs in a positive and supportive manner; be an ambassador to the public at all times; actively engage an audience;

• Set up activities and program spaces and follow the established guidelines and schedule for ambassador programs;

• Make safety a priority;

• Attend to assigned animals; prepare diets, feed, and provide water; sanitize enclosure furniture/floors and food/water dishes as scheduled or necessary; perform approved enrichment and training activities; assist in the medical care.

• Record relevant information in facility’s recordkeeping database, including animal observations, health concerns and treatments, acquisitions/births, dispositions/deaths, etc.; objectively complete animal welfare assessments, as assigned;

• Perform routine repairs and maintenance on exhibits/enclosures as needed; construct improvements, furnishings, and decorations for exhibits;

• Help with basic facility maintenance to ensure a clean and attractive environment;

• Support the institution’s Mission, Vision, and Values; maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of fellow staff, volunteers, and guests; and

• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Required Qualifications

• Pursuing a 4 year degree at a Virginia college or university with a focus on Environmental Sciences, Wildlife Biology, Zoology, or similar preferred; but not necessary
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Successful completion of a national background check and drug screening may also be required.
• Be 18 years or older;
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license/ID and have reliable transportation to/from work;
• Be able to lift 50 pounds;
• Be able to stand for an extended period;
• Be available for an in-person internship at the Children’s Science Center Lab located in the Fair Oaks Mall;

Ideal Characteristics

• Understand and communicate the mission and vision of the Children’s Science Center;
• Possess a “can do” attitude with a “will do” work ethic;
• Demonstrate interest in animal care and education; specifically elementary education, STEM subjects, and/or informal education;
• Have excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills;
• Engage effectively with various ages and groups of individuals including children, parents and/or guardians, STEM mentors, and general audiences;
• Be detailed orientated and a quick and independent learner;
• Have basic computer skills
• Good leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• The ability to engage effectively with children, adults, and other staff members.
• Awareness and sensitivity in interacting with diverse populations, including those that are underserved.
• Flexibility.
• A fun-loving attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions:

Frequently required to:

• Speak and hear;
• Stand upright and/or walk on feet for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Sit for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Reach with arms and hands, including to raise arms overhead to move and lift up to thirty-five (35) pounds;
• Climb or balance;
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• Move or lift at least fifty (50) pounds;
• Use hands and digits to manipulate, handle, and feel.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision (close vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Occasionally required to:

• Smell;
• Perform repetitive motions;
• Use eye, hand, and foot coordination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Animal Conservation Intern encounters. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, and may be required to wear a protective lab coat, protective glasses, and/or protective gloves. Employee may be required to use chemicals with Material Safety Data Sheets provided. Interns may need to use very hot or very cold liquids. Interns may be required to utilize light tools and equipment in the performance of duties. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate to loud.

CONCLUSION

This internship description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Animal Conservation intern position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation reserves the right to revise duties as needed. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process please contact hr@childsci.org.

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

INTERNSHIP OUTLINE

The Animal Conservation Internship is a program that takes place in-person at the Children's Science Center Lab, located at the Fair Oaks Mall, 11948L Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA, 22033. 

The Intern will be required to work at least one weekend day either Saturday or Sunday. The remaining hours will be completed during the week between 9:00am-5:00pm. Scheduling is flexibile and will be coordinated with the intern. 

The intern will work approximately 20 hours per week. 

Start Date: On or around May 4th,2026

End Date: On or around December 18th, 2026

INTERVIEWS

Selected applicants will be invited for an in-person interview at the Children's Science Center Lab.

TO APPLY

This application will remain open until a candidate has been selected. 

Before you begin your application, please have the following items ready:

• Resume
• Cover Letter 

You will not be able to submit an application without uploading a Resume and Cover Letter. Resume and Cover Letter must be submitted as pdf files. 

The following questions are optional and are used for collection purposes only. They will not be used in the decision making process.